The good old Convent days
NOT everyone has the privilege of saying that they studied at a school that was founded 160 years ago.
The Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) was born from the hard work of the French missionary priests and nuns at that time, who overcame adversity to bring education to the Convent schools in Melaka.
When I started going to my alma mater, an all-girls school, CHIJ was already divided into the primary and secondary sections, across the road from each other. It was indeed an exciting time, Malaysia was a newly minted independent nation, determined to forge an identity of its own, despite the challenges at that time.
My parents, had come to live in Melaka, and being Ceylonese – as Jaffna Tamils were known as then – their ambition was for their children to be educated and successful. Thus, I was enrolled in CHIJ in Bandar Hilir. The school was already making a name for itself for transforming demure girls into independent well-mannered students, respected for their intelligence and achievements in national exams as well as in debates and extra-curricular activities.
My schoolmates came from varied backgrounds and multi-ethnicities. We had Eurasians, descendants from the Portuguese community as well as a good representation from the Baba Nyonya community. This wonderful motley, later become known as the ‘Class of 75’ as some 300 of us got to know each other over a period of 12 years from primary to secondary school.
When it was decided that it was time for the ‘Class of 75’ to meet again at age 60, a committee was formed to turn this dream into reality. Emails flew to all parts of the world, late night meetings were held to discuss the dinner menu, venue and activities to keep everyone entertained.
Indeed, it proved to be a sizzling
The ‘Class of 75’ gathering to celebrate their friendship. night with dancing, live singing, and the best of Peranakan cuisine, as memories flooded back for all those who attended the celebration.
Reminiscing about the quirks, traits and days spent with the principal at that time, Sister John Bosco, and our many dedicated teachers who were determined that no matter what the odds were, the ‘Class of 75’ was going to be a success, Constance Goh, Irene Leong, Tan Poh Chok and Girija Menon shared their memories of days spent in science laboratories, domestic science and art classes with Sister Alexis and Sister Henry, who appeared determined to embed morality and
good behavior into all of us. It was a tall order indeed.
Having left Melaka to complete her studies at Melbourne University, Constance who now resides in Melbourne, Australia, said our teachers had set the bar high. But it was later in life when she had her own successful business, that she realised it was these standards that gave her the drive to succeed.
Irene, one of the best and brightest among us, became a civil engineer in a man’s world and as she climbed up the ladder in the civil service followed by years in the private sector. She too attributed her drive to the foundation laid by her teachers, among them, Mr Song, the Chemistry teacher and Mrs Mani, who was adamant that her students understood Physics well.
Girija remembers the unforgettable and jolly Biology teacher Mr Chong who had constantly reminded her not to confuse the trachea with the esophagus, and how Mrs Mani’s words – “the weight of the floating object is equal to the weight of the displaced liquid” – remained etched in her memory long after she had left school.
“I never became a doctor but the intensity, conviction and passion with which they delivered the lessons stayed with me for life,” said Girija.
As more than 52 of us are now in a chat group, we realised that besides the lawyers, entrepreneurs and other professionals among us, there were dozens of educationists comprising teachers, professors and even a founder of an international school in Melaka.
As a young primary student, I was impressed by the existence of an orphanage in the primary school. There were a few handicapped children among those taken in and the nuns tried their best to make them feel at home. This had left a lasting impact in my mind. Even today, the nuns continue their work with these orphans under the Infant Jesus Convent (IJC) Asrama Cahaya.
The values of helping the underprivileged is carried on by the ‘Class of 75’ with our Eileen Chan and Anne Hooi championing the collection of donations in cash and kind to help the upkeep of the orphanage.
The reunion dinner, which saw former students coming from the UK, USA, Australia and other parts of the world, became yet another opportunity for the class to again contribute to Asrama Cahaya, clearly a testament to the good values instilled during our early years in school.
It was here, at CHIJ, that we learnt a whole plethora of life’s skills: respect, consideration, patience, teamwork, time management, multi-tasking, all within the framework of strict discipline and hard work.
Kudos to the nuns and teachers who ran the school with such dedication and forth-righteousness!